Obituary of Christopher W. Caldwell

Christopher William Caldwell, 49 of Trumbull, CT died peacefully at his home on October 7, 2016 surrounded by his family after losing a courageous battle with brain cancer. A beloved son, Chris was born in Greenwich, CT on January 2, 1967. He attended Greenwich schools and Iona Preparatory in New Rochelle, NY, where he made life-long friends, proudly played tackle on the Iona Gaels football team and expanded his strong faith. As a youth, Chris sang in the Men and Boys Choir at Our Lady of Mercy in Portchester, NY for eight years. Chris earned a BS in Criminal Justice from Pennsylvania State University and JD from John Marshall Law School in Chicago, IL. He was admitted into the NY and CT Bars and practiced as a criminal defense attorney for several law firms before opening his own practice; his career ended abruptly after incurring a traumatic brain injury in 2012. Chris had many loves: practicing law, watching the Three Stooges and the Honeymooners, Civil War history, fishing, golf, watching his favorite sports teams (the Yankees, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Rangers), Christmas and other holiday seasons, and most of all, spending time with his family and two children. Anyone who knew him well, knew Chris had a heart of gold and great sense of humor; he was the best friend and brother a sibling could have. Chris was a staunch defender of the US Constitution and advocate for those unable to advocate for themselves. Chris is survived by his parents, Jayne S. Caldwell of Trumbull, CT and William T. Caldwell Jr. of Greenwich, CT, a brother Charles Caldwell of West Dover, VT, a sister Patricia Caldwell of North Haven, CT, his two children Jack Davis Caldwell and Holly Kristin Caldwell of Milford, CT, three aunts Joan (Godmother), Diane and Linda of Greenwich, CT and other extended family, Don Costanzo (Godfather) of South Carolina, Gisele Parent of Florida and Bill Padgett of Virginia. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, October 12 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 13 at 10:00 a.m. directly in St. Stephen Church, 6948 Main St., Trumbull. Interment will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery in West Haven. Should they desire, friends may choose to make memorial contributions in Chris' name to the Hospital for Special Care (2150 Corbin Ave., New Britain, CT 06053) or the Bundy Fund at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (70 Audubon Street, New Haven, CT 06510; cfgnh.org/bundyfund), which will support the causes that mattered to Chris during his life. Additionally, friends can make contributions in Chris' memory to the college 529 fund for Holly and Jack Caldwell, (in care of Nauman Rana, Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, 1261 Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824). Guests are invited to join the family for lunch after the burial at St. Lawrence beginning at 12:15 p.m., Brazi's Italian Restaurant, 201 Food Terminal Plaza, New Haven, CT 06511.